The order instructs the departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs to develop a plan within 60 days to provide “seamless access to mental health treatment and suicide prevention resources" for uniformed service members in the year following military service.

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"We want them to get the highest care and the care they so richly deserve," Trump said at the signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon.

Within 180 days, the departments must update Trump on the implementation of the plan and outline further reforms to increase access to mental health services.

Administration officials said the suicide rate among veterans in the first year following service is twice the average among veterans overall. About 20 veterans die by suicide per day in the U.S., the government estimates.